Ear protector



Jan. 25, 1955 F. A. FULLER 2,700,162

EAR PROTECTOR Filed Jan. 10, 1951 INVENTOR. Fwy/fees ,4 fZM/er ArmR/vEx United States Patent EAR PROTECTOR Frances A. Fuller, Clayton, Mo.

Application January 10, 1951, Serial No. 205,409

3 Claims. (Cl. 2209) This invention has to do with wearing apparel and more particularly to an ear protector, the primary object being to provide an inexpensive, attractive pocketed device adapted to cover and receive within the pocket thereof, certain parts of the external ear through the medium of a flange on the main panel of the body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protector for the human external ear that includes a panel having the shape and size of the ear and provided with a substantially C-shaped flange on the marginal edge of the panel for presenting a pocket to receive certain of the projecting parts of the external ear.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ear protector of the above mentioned character wherein the head of the wearer is engaged by parts of the protector when placed in use so as to present a seal against the elements for the car.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide releasable attaching means on an ear protector adapted to engage a portion of the projecting part of the external ear and designed additionally to render the protector attractive.

It is an object in a modified form of the present invention to provide releasable means for holding the protector in place in the nature of a strip of elastic material at the innermost edge of the aforesaid pocket forming ange.

Additional objects will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, where- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a protector for the right ear, made according to one form of my present invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing the opposite side of the protector illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line IV--IV of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a blank for forming a left ear proetctor such as embodied in the form of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ornamental fastening means embodied in the form of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive; and

Fig. 7 is an inside, elevational view of a modified form of protector for the right ear.

As will hereinafter become clear, the ear protector following the concepts of the present invention is designed to alford maximum covering for the ear, as well as present a device that is non-bulky, easy to apply and attractive.

Any suitable material may be used in forming the blank broadly designated by the numeral 10 and illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing, but fabric has been found most satisfactory. Blank 10 includes a pair of sections 12 and 14, each of which is substantially elliptical and following generally the contour of the projecting part of the human external ear. To this end, each of the sections 12 and 14 is provided with outermost arcuate edges 16 and 18 respectively. Edges 16 and 18 are complementary so that the same become juxtaposed when the blank 10 is folded on median transverse line 20. Prior to such folding, however, of the "ice section 14 upon the section 12, an elongated stiffening element 22 is stitched or otherwise affixed to. the innermost face of the blank section 12 as at 24 at a point thereon opposite to the arcuate edge 16 thereof.

Blank section 12 is also provided with an elongated projection 26 that extends outwardly from the stiffening member 22 and terminates in a second elongated projection 28 that is slightly longer than the projection 26. The projections 26 and 28 are separated by a line of fold 30 and when the projection 28 is folded over the projection 26, the strengthening rib 22 is completely covered by the former.

The blank section 14 is cut away as at 32 at that edge thereof opposite to the arcuate peripheral portion 18 to presei ti a hook-like appearance having a pointed portion While the blank 10 illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing is adapted for producing an ear protector for the left car, it is of course, understood that a similar blank will produce a protector for the right ear such as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

It is to be desired that a suitable lining 36 be provided for the protector and when the blank sections 12 and 14 are folded on line 20, and the extensions 28 folded over the extension 26, there is presented an article having the shape and configuration illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. The finished ear protector therefore, includes an outer panel 38, the outermost face whereof comprises that face of the blank section 12 opposite to the stiffening member 22. The arcuate edges 16 and 18 of the sections 12 and 14 are thereupon joined by a line of stitching 40 and that edge of the section 14 defining the cutaway portion 32 is folded inwardly into a hem 42 that is held in place by stitching 44. Theslits 21 and 33, in median line 20 and edge 32 respectively, facilitate the production of hem 42. Likewise, the extension 28 is secured to the section 12 in enclosing relationship to the strengthening rib 22 by a line of stitching 46.

It is of course, further understood that the lining 36 which covers the inner face of panel 12 and is pocketed within the protector between sections 12 and 14 is held in place by the lines of stitching 44 and 46. It is to be preferred however, that the lining 36 shall not cover the extension 28 and there is, therefore, presented in the finished device, an elongated flap portion 48 of double thickness by virtue of the superimposed extensions 26 and 28. In rebending the edge 32 of the section 14 into. hem 42, there is presented a substantially C-shaped flange portion 50 in the finished protector, defining a similarly shaped pocket 52 for receiving a portion of the external ear as will hereinafter be made more clear.

A fastening member, broadly designated by the numeral 54, is secured to the panel 38 and includes an ornamentation 56 having a plurality of hooks 58 on one face thereof adapted to pierce the panel 38 as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing and serving as a means of attachment of the element 54 to the ear protector.

A pair of resilient ears 60 extending outwardly from the aforesaid one face of ornament 56, underlies the folded edge 20 and receives an ear-engaging fingerpieee 62 thercbetweeu. A pivot pin 64 swingably mounting the finger-piece 62 also holds the ears 60 in tight engagement with the fingerpieee 62 whereby the latter is held in a selected position engaging the ear when the device is placed in use in the manner illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

Any suitable roughening 66 may be provided on the fingerpieee 62 to grip the ear and thereby curtail accidental displacement.

The ear protector illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawing is substantially the same as that just above described with the exception that the fastening element 54 is eliminated and in lieu thereof, an elastic band is mounted within a hem 102 provided adjacent the line of stitching 44 on the flange 50. As is clear in Fig. 7 of the drawing, the hem 102 is normally gathered whereby to permit stretching of the elastic member 100 when applying the device to the ear and to assure a tight fit around the ear during use.

It is seen that in either form of the invention hereof,

pocket 52 is adapted to receive substantially all of the projecting portions of the human external ear. Techlltcally, such portions are referred to as the pinna or auricle and include the helix which is completely housed within the pocket 52 when the device is placed in use. The external ear also includes the lobule or lobe, and this portion is likewise substantially enclosed within the pocket 52 adjacent the ele: ent 54 in the form of Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

Obviously, with the protector properly formed and sized according to the individual wearing the same, the innermost edge of the flange 50 will bear against the head of the wearer behind the ear to present a substantial seal against wind, snow and other elements. Likewise, a seal is provided at the front of the ear by the flap 48 engaging the head of the wearer and covering the so-cailed tragus of the external ear. Such tight fit of the flap portion 48 against the head of the wearer forwardly of the ear, is enhanced by the stiffening rib 2.2 and to this end, such member 22 may have a degree of resiliency if desired so as to render the same self-conforming to the contour of that portion of the head against which the flap 48 is to bear. With substantially all of the projecting portions of the ear housed within pocket 22, little diiiiculty will be experienced in maintaining the protector in place. However, to further assure that displacement will not occur during use, fingerpiece 62 may be swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, thereby clamping the lobe of the ear in place between fingerpiece 62 and the lining 36.

It is clear therefore, that the element 54 serves the dual purpose of releasably holding the protector in place on the ear and of adding attractiveness by the ornamenta tion 56 simulating an ear ring commonly worn by ladies in distinctive dress. Certain classes of people however, may object to the use of a clamping device for the lobe of the ear or to the decoration that is presented by ornament 56, and therefore, by provision of elastic member 100 in the form illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawing, much the same result is presented so far as holding the device in place. The form of Fig. 7 has the further advantage of even more effectively sealing the protector around the ear since elastic member 161) will hold the hem 102 in tight engagement with the ear at its point of juncture with the head of the wearer.

It is further apparent that the protector may be fashioned and designed to blend properly with other wearing apparel by changing the color and material from which the panel 38 is formed as well as changing the nature of the ornamentation 55 for the fastening device 54.

The protector is easily applied and removed from the ear and when not in use can be carried either in a purse or a pocket of other wearing apparel.

While the invention is necessarily limited to but two forms, it is apparent that the same is subject to many changes and modifications and those that fairly come within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims, are manifestly contemplated hereby.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An ear protector comprising a body having a pair of superimposed panels provided with a line of joinder, presenting a bottom edge for the body, said panels having a first end and a second end and providing an outer panel with a substantially C-shaped, rearwardly extending edge portion and a substantially crescent-shaped inner panel having an outermost, rearwardly extending, convex edge. and an innermost, rearwardly extending, concave edge, the C-shaped edge portion and the convex edge being juxtaposed and interconnected, and terminating in lowermost ends merging with said bottom edge at said first end of the latter, presenting a substantially crescent-shaped pocket between the panels, said Q-shaped edge portion and said convex edge having uppermost ends spaced from said bottom edge; and an elongated, forwardly projecting flap portion on said outer panel and extending between said second end of the bottom edge and said uppermost ends of the C-shaped edge portion and the convex edge.

2. An ear protector comprising a body having a pair of superimposed panels provided with a line of joinder, presenting a bottom edge for the body, said panels having a first end and a second end and providing an outer panel with a substantially C-shaped, rearwardly extending edge portion and a substantially crescent-shaped inner panel having an outermost, rearwardly extending, convex edge and an innermost, rearwardly extending, concave edge, the G-shaped edge portion and the convex edge being juxtaposed and interconnected, and terminating in lowermost ends merging with said bottom edge at said first end of the latter, presenting a substantially crescent-shaped pocket between the panels, said C-shaped edge portion and said convex edge having uppermost ends spaced from said bottom edge; an elongated, forwardly projecting flap portion on said outer panel and extending between said second end of the bottom edge and said uppermost ends of the C-shaped edge portion and the convex edge; and a stiffener enclosed within said flap and extending longitudinally thereof.

3. An ear protector comprising a body having a pair of superimposed panels provided with a line of joinder, presenting a bottom edge for the body, said panels having a first end and a second end and providing an outer panel with a substantially C-shaped, rearwardly extending edge portion and a substantially crescent-shaped inner panel having an outermost, rearwardly extending, convex edge and an innermost, rearwardly extending, concave edge, the C-shaped edge portion and the convex edge being juxtaposed and interconnected, and terminating in lowermost ends merging with said bottom edge at said first end of the latter, presenting a substantially crescent-shaped pocket between the panels, said C-shaped edge portion and said convex edge having uppermost ends spaced from said bottom edge; an elongated, forwardly projecting flap portion on said outer panel and extending between said second end of the bottom edge and said uppermost ends of the C-shaped edge portion and the convex edge; and an elastic member secured to the inner panel along said concave edge thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 346,175 Shelby July 27, 1886 389,735 Britton Sept. 18, 1888 758,680 Otte May 3, 1904 1,606,878 Keim Nov. 16, 1926 1,853,131 Lewis Apr. 12, 1932 2,439,289 Fanslow Apr. 6, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 148,274 Germany Nov. 11, 1902 

